How to Extract Essential Oils from Seeds
Essential oils are taken from different parts of a plant through various extraction processes, including mechanical pressing, water or steam distillation, and solvent extraction. To produce essential oils from seeds, these methods employ different processes, tools, and agents for extraction. Their finished products normally have varying properties as well. Here’s how each method works:
Cold Pressing
Cold pressing, generally referred to as “mechanical pressing”, is a method of forcing out oil from the seeds using a mechanical oil press. This is ideally done at room temperature, without integrating heat. Later, the oil goes through filtration and purification using a filter press to remove remaining impurities. The absence of heat helps preserve the oil’s natural properties, so the product is high quality. It is pure, natural, and rich in essential nutrients.
Solvent Extraction
To take the oil by solvent extraction, manufacturers use chemical agents like heptane and hexane. It is the fastest and cheapest way to extract essential oils. Although most solvent-extracted essential oils are less expensive, they have compromised quality. The oil is no longer pure and chemical-free due to possible impurities.
Combination of Mechanical Pressing and Solvent Extraction
The combination method begins with mechanically pressing the seeds. Then, the remaining materials are gathered and used for further extraction using a solvent. This takes about 8 to 10 percent more oil.
Steam Distillation
Steam distillation always comes after grinding the seeds to prevent loss and decomposition of oil. When steam is forced over the material, it opens the plant pockets from which oils are kept. The aromatic molecules of the seeds then escape and evaporate into the steam. The steam passes through a cooling system to condense. This forms a liquid from which water and essential oil separate in layers.
Common Uses of Seed Essential Oils
Versatility is innate to essential oils, and seed essential oils are no exception. They have healing and nourishing properties good for various uses. You can use seed essential oils from head to toe. Apply them topically or take them orally. Here are the common applications you can use seed essential oils for:
Food Preparation or Cooking
Some seed essential oils are perfect for cooking and preparing savory dishes. They work well in soups, sauces, vegetable salads, and other flavorful recipes.
One of the most common types of seed essential oils used for food is argan oil. Argan oil is used for making a Moroccan bread dip called amlou, made with argan oil, peanuts, and almonds. It is a key ingredient in couscous, a native dish in North African countries.
Another example is coriander essential oil, extensively used as a flavoring agent. It can also help protect the food from early spoilage.
Other seeds essential oils used as food ingredients are celery seed essential oil and cumin seed essential oil. While they add flavor and aroma to your dishes, they also provide benefits that improve your health. They help manage cardiovascular, digestive, and joint pain problems.
Hair Care and Skin Care
Seed essential oils are naturally rich in nutrients and fatty acids that keep hair and skin healthy. Various types of essential oils offer different benefits to improve your appearance. Oils rich in moisture are perfect for keeping skin soft and glowing. They condition hair, so it stays smooth and shiny.
Most commercial products give great results. However, some chemicals used to make these goods are damaging to hair and skin. That’s why people who want to get away from the bad side of using them prefer natural options like essential oils. They are gentle and safe. Use them regularly for beautiful hair and skin.
Medicine or Food Supplement
Essential oils from seeds have natural healing properties. Some types that are suitable for ingestion are taken orally as a medicine or food supplement. Castor Oil, for example, has laxative effects. With the right dosage and supervision from a medical professional, it effectively relieves constipation.
You can take culinary argan oil by spoon as a food supplement. It provides various health benefits such as heart health, decreased cholesterol level, and better digestion. When taking essential oils, make sure it is food grade or suitable for ingestion. Consult your physician if needed.
Carrier Oil for Aromatherapy Massage
The seeds are the fatty portion of a plant, so a seed essential oil is typically thick and sticky. In the world of essential oils, this type of consistency is one indication of an effective carrier oil.
Carrier oils are very useful in aromatherapy massage because they help deliver the healing properties of essential oils to hair, skin, and body. Since some essential oils are light and evaporate easily, they need something to “carry” them when applied. Carrier oils act as base oils.
Examples of light oils are citrus oils. You will need the help of carrier oils like castor, olive, or coconut oil to use them for massage. The ability of a seed essential oil to stick and absorb quickly successfully does the job.
To know more tips on how to use essential oils effectively, read this next page. Learn various ways of using essential oils for household, aromatherapy, and more!
9 Common Types of Seed Essential Oils
If you are looking for seed essential oils, here are 9 of the best types you can choose from:
Castor Oil
You can say that castor oil is one of the busiest types of essential oils. Packed with essential nutrients and healing effects, it has a multitude of uses from head to toe. It contains fatty acids, vitamin E, and protein. It contains high amounts of moisture. It improves hair, skin, and health. While you can use pure organic castor oil on its own, many hair care and skin care products also contain castor oil. This oil is a popular carrier oil.
Benefits
- Moisturizes and nourishes skin
- Heals inflammation and wounds
- Fights skin aging
- Reduces acne
- Helps fade scars and prevent stretch marks
- Conditions and moisturizes hair
- Increases hair growth
- Strengthens and repairs damaged hair
- Thickens eyebrows and eyelashes
- Relieves dry itchy scalp
- Soothes joint pains and arthritis
- Grows strong nails
- Relieves constipation and digestive problems
- Lubricates mechanical tools
Specific Uses
- Skin care
- Hair care
- Body massage
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Laxative
- Lubricant at home and kitchen
Pomegranate Seed Oil
Pomegranate fruit is naturally rich in vitamin C, which helps repair skin and fight skin aging. Pomegranate seeds themselves have life-saving properties. They help fight cancer, high blood pressure, and other health risks. It contains punicic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid known to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. This oil is popular for keeping skin young.
Benefits
- Repairs damaged skin
- Prevents skin aging
- Improves skin texture and elasticity
- Restores dull and dry hair
- Clears scalp and promotes hair growth
- Reduces skin inflammation
- Nourishes hair
Specific Uses
- Massage oil
- Skin care
- Hair care
Argan Oil
Originating from the cultural and feisty country of Morocco, argan oil has now reached global popularity. This is thanks to many Hollywood stars who always mention argan oil when talking about their beauty routines. Now it is one of the most sought-after ingredients in various hair care products. Most of them have anti-hair loss formula. Argan oil is deeply nourishing. It contains hair-enhancing vitamins and omega-6 fatty acids. It comes in two types: cosmetic argan oil and culinary argan oil.
Benefits
- Treats and prevents hair loss
- Grows longer hair
- Relieves dry itchy scalp
- Tames frizz and split ends
- Restores damaged hair
- Moisturizes skin
- Protects skin from damage
- Reduces acne
- Prevents and fades stretch marks
- Soothes razor bumps and burns
- Softens lips
- Keeps nails healthy and strong
- Moisturizes dry cracked feet and heels
- When taken internally, culinary argan oil provides the following health benefits:
- Lower cholesterol level
- Improved brain function
- Relief from joint pain and rheumatism
- Better digestion
- Controlled blood sugar level
- Improved nerve functions
Specific Uses
- Hair care
- Skin care
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Food supplement
- Culinary or food preparation (culinary-grade argan oil)
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba seeds are about 50% oil by weight. This oil is high in fatty acids and vitamin E. It is a common ingredient in making cosmetic products like lotions, moisturizers, shampoos, and conditioners. It cleanses and moisturizes skin. This oil effectively heals dry skin and restores dull hair. Use it regularly for hair and skin care.
Benefits
- Moisturizes skin
- Conditions hair
- Fades and prevents wrinkles
- Soothes razor burns
- Promotes overall skin health
Specific Uses
- Ingredient in cosmetics
- Hair care
- Skin care
- Makeup remover
- Lip balm
Fenugreek Oil
The seeds of fenugreek are nutritious and load a number of health benefits. The oil is obtained through steam distillation of the rhomboid-shaped seeds of fenugreek. These seeds are common for cooking and medicine. That’s why it is not surprising for the oil extract to be as powerful and effective. It contains healthy fatty acids and aromatic compounds with healing properties. The aroma is powerful and fragrant with a hint of bitter tone.
Benefits
- Clears acne
- Treats boils
- Relieves skin irritation
- When used for aromatherapy, it provides the following health benefits:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Calmed nervous system
- Recovery from fever
- Management of diabetes
- Kidney restoration
- Improved digestion
Specific Uses
- Body massage
- Aromatherapy
- Skin care
Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot seed oil is an aromatic essential oil steam-distilled from the dried seeds of wild carrots. It is rich in nutrients both your hair and skin will love. It is most popular for its skin-friendly properties that help restore skin and keep it healthy. Take note that carrot oil and carrot seed oil are different. Carrot oil is a base oil rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene. It makes skin supple and healthy. It can’t be used for massage. Carrot seed oil, on the other hand, has mild soothing aroma. It helps relieve stress and restores lost moisture in the skin. You can use it for massage and regular skin care.
Benefits
- Protects skin from damage
- Promotes skin health and cell regeneration
- Moisturizes hair
- Fights bacteria and fungi
Specific Uses
- Ingredient in skin care products
- Inhalation or diffusion
- Topical application
Sunflower Seed Oil
Sunflower seed oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of the sunflower. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. Ukraine and Russia are its largest producers. With many health benefits, sunflower seed oil is a healthier option to replace your regular cooking oil. It is gentle on skin and protects you from skin damage. It has various uses for different industries. While you can use it as a beauty product, it is also a natural source of fuel. It is mixed with diesel to run diesel engines.
Benefits
- Improves skin health
- Promotes cell regeneration
- Prevents skin aging due to sun damage
- Controls frizz
- Conditions hair
- Provides the following health benefits:
- Improved heart health
- Lower cholesterol level
- Boost of energy
- Stronger immune system
- Protection against asthma
- Reduced inflammation
Specific Uses
- Frying oil
- Emollient in cosmetics
- Supplements
- Skin care
- Hair care
- Fuel
Grapeseed Oil
As the name implies, grapeseed oil comes from the seeds of grapes, typically wine grapes. The seeds used for extracting this oil are the seeds discarded during winemaking. The seeds are loaded with vitamin E, known to fight skin aging and some chronic diseases. Its oil provides protection against cellular damage caused by free radicals. It contains fatty acids, nourishing compounds, and moisturizing properties that are good for skin care.
Benefits
- Heals wounds
- Reduces swelling
- Prevents early skin aging
- Moisturizes and conditions hair
- When taken internally, culinary grapeseed oil provides the following health benefits:
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Improved heart health
- Strong immune system
- Prevents development of skin cancer
Specific Uses
- Food preparation
- Frying
- Salad dressing
- Sauces
- Massage oil
- Ingredient in skin care products
- Lip balm
- Creams
- Moisturizers
- Sunblocks
- Lotions
- Natural skin care
Cumin Oil
Cumin seed essential oil is steam-distilled. It comes from the cumin plant, a small and slender herb. The oil has popular uses for health and for cooking. While ground cumin is a favorite spice in kitchen cabinets, cumin oil is equally impressive for its culinary use. Taking it orally cleanses your body internally. It treats indigestion and other stomach problems. Applying it topically promotes healing.
Benefits
- Relieves indigestion
- Improves immune system
- Soothes muscle and joint pains
- Detoxifies the body
- Kills bacteria
- Heals wounds
Specific Uses
- Ingredient in various dishes
- Medicine for indigestion
- Internal cleanser
- Mouth rinse
Seed essential oils are definitely a must-have at home. You can keep them in your kitchen, beauty, or medicine cabinets. With various uses, they are one of the most useful types of essential oils. They are not only good for making you look good, they have applications that make you feel good as well. Try seed essential oil to enhance your beauty and improve your well-being. It’s a natural remedy you can always count on.
For more tips on the safe use of essential oil products, check out this next page. Learn important things you need to consider before buying essential oils.
